When researching the best quiet furnaces available to order online, one name kept popping up – Goodman. That’s why we thought “to hell with it”, why not do an article that exclusively features this brand. Still waiting for a pat on the back from the Goodman chief exec. Anyway, here’s our mini guide to the quietest furnace.
What you’ll get is a round-up of the best quiet Goodman furnaces, with info on the tech that makes them quiet, and other important features.
But first…
How loud are furnaces?
Furnace manufacturers rarely publish system noise level. Otherwise, we would have told you the exact decibel levels.
Goodman systems generally operate within a moderate noise range of about 60-75 dB depending on the model. That’s louder than a wall heater or tower fan, but lower than appliances such as the average garbage disposal.
You might find furnaces a little quieter from other HVAC brands but not by a long way; and you also need to take into account other important features such as heating capacity, AFUE Rating (efficiency) and gas valve staging.
Here are some stats:
Skip to:
#1 – Goodman 80k Gas Furnace (GR9S96 series)
A user’s favorite which has been repeatedly cited for quietness by reviewers – the GR9S96 series combines noise reduction features with decent power and excellent efficiency.
We start with a buyer’s favorite. This GR9S96 series 80k Goodman furnace got so many thumbs up from reviewers on Amazon, especially for its quiet features.
“Quiet! Love our new Goodman Furnace!” said Evelyn W, while Canon Man commented: “Powerful fan, quiet operation”.
The Goodman GR9S960803BN has a 9-speed ECM blower motor, designed to optimize airflow while minimizing noise, especially on lower speed settings during mild weather or overnight operation. This model also incorporates sound-reducing components: a quiet induced-draft blower, low-noise gas valve, and a fully insulated cabinet to further reduce operational noise.
It is a high-efficiency, 96% AFUE, 80,000 BTU single-stage gas furnace offering flexible upflow or horizontal installation.
Maybe the best balance between quietness and power of any Goodman furnace on this list.
Pros
- Quiet (backed up by buyers)
- 9-stage blower motor (more efficient)
- Powerful (80k BTU)
Cons
- Doesn’t include horizontal kit, if you need it in this position
Best for: Ideal balance between quietness and power
#2 – Goodman 60k Gas Furnace (GD9S80 series)
A budget option that delivers plenty of quiet features – including its direct drive motor and induced draft blower – along with sufficient power for smaller home.
Want a much cheaper alternative to the quiet Goodman furnace above? We found you one.
This Goodman 60k furnace has a quiet direct-drive circulator blower motor and quiet single-speed, induced-draft blower. Essentially, you can rely on it to be quiet for many of the same reasons as the GR9S96 series blower.
But we shouldn’t forget the other stuff. Because this 80% AFUE, 60,000 BTU, single-stage furnace offers both flexibility and compact efficiency. It features a furnace control board with self-diagnostics and low-voltage terminal block.
This quiet furnace also has a tight-sealing, heavy-gauge steel cabinet (rated for less than 2% air leakage), which dampens vibrations and prevents noise escape.
Pros
- Quiet (noise reduction features)
- Durable (aluminized-steel dual-diameter tubular heat exchanger)
Cons
- Could be more efficient, but 80% AFUE still respectable
Best for: Good value, quiet heating
#3 – Goodman 120K Gas Furnace (GCVC96 Series)
A quiet powerhouse that combines whisper quiet operation with energy-efficient heating and sufficient power for a larger home. The GCVC96 series represents the best of Goodman.
Here we go… up a notch in quietness perhaps, but certainly in power and efficiency.
This GCVC96 series Goodman furnace features a quiet induced draft blower for ‘whisper quiet operation’, and sound-damping design. You’d be getting reliable energy-efficient heating that can be installed in upflow or horizontal configuration.
Look at the 96% AFUE, because that means you are getting efficiency-saving energy and saving costs. And with 120,000 BTU, enough power for a larger home won’t be a problem.
Included with the package is a Lifetime Heat Exchanger, 10-Year Unit Replacement, and 10-Year Parts Warranty with online registration at no charge.
Is this the quietest Goodman furnace around? Going off the features, we can certainly say it is a top-tier quiet heat exchanger that will appeal to those investing in new medium-to-large properties.
Pros
- Quiet (quiet-induced draft blower)
- Powerful (up to 120,000 BTU)
- Efficient (96% AFUE)
- 10-year parts warranty
Cons
- At the higher end of the price scale
Best for: Quiet, premium quality and durable furnace for medium-large homes
#4 – Goodman 80K Modulating Variable Speed Gas Furnace (GMVM97 series)
One of the benchmarks for efficiency among quiet Goodman furnaces, the GMVM97 series features ComfortBridge™ technology that means optimized use and lower noise.
These ultra-high-efficiency furnaces feature a quiet variable-speed induced-draft blower, which softly ramps airflow according to heating demand, helping to minimize noise levels during operation.
An outstanding 97% AFUE guarantees you efficiency. Then there is ComfortBridge™ technology, which is factory-installed into select Goodman brand gas furnaces to give them peak, energy-efficient performance. This technology has moved system communication functions from a thermostat in the wall into your HVAC equipment.
This is an airflow system that gently ramps up or down, adjusting automatically to demand for heating and cooling – this equals more comfort.
An excellent quiet furnace with optimum efficiency.
Pros
- Quiet variable-speed blower
- Very efficient (97% AFUE)
- ComfortBridge technology
Cons
- Not a budget buy
Best for: The best efficiency and clever technology
#5 – Goodman Upflow / Horizontal Gas Furnace
This superb value Goodman furnace offers a raft of noise reduction features, durability, and a good level of efficiency (80% AFUE) and power.
We end with a budget option. The GR9S800803BN is an update on older models – the GM9S800803BN and GMES800803BN.
This is a reliable choice that will give you decent efficiency (80% AFUE) and quiet operation. That’s down to the multi-speed blower motor and insulated cabinet that provides sound damping, as well as a quiet draft inducer and low-noise components.
A single-stage design offers consistent heat output, and a multi-speed ECM motor optimizes airflow, reducing both energy consumption… and importantly, sound levels!
All in all, a budget-friendly heating option that gives you effective warmth without the higher upfront or operational costs of the premium models. It’s built for durability and is a safe bet to keep small to medium homes warm through the colder months.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Good value
Cons
- Not as efficient as some models
Best for: Affordable quiet furnace for small-to-medium homes
